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Top South Korean official calls Trump’s Venezuela raid ‘violent atrocity’, stirring unease

Park Seok-woon, head of a panel in the Prime Minister’s Office, faces scrutiny for denouncing US toppling of Maduro at a rally in Seoul

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An activist, wearing a mask depicting US President Donald Trump kneels next to a container, as people take part in an anti-US rally in Seoul on Monday. Photo: Reuters
The Korea Times
Senior officials in South Korea’s Prime Minister’s Office are voicing concern over Park Seok-woon, a committee chairman under its authority, after he joined protests criticising US President Donald Trump and his administration over American military operations in Venezuela.
Park, a long-time liberal activist, took part in a rally on Monday in front of the US embassy in Seoul, following an American military operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, and his wife Cilia Flores.
As the first speaker at the gathering, which was organised by 267 civic and political organisations, Park delivered a sharply worded speech denouncing Trump and Washington.
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“It’s a violent atrocity that will horrify humanity around the world,” Park said, calling the military operation that has left as many as 80 people dead “murder”.

Participants accused the Trump administration of violating international law and called for the immediate release of Maduro. Organisers have also unveiled plans for a larger anti-US demonstration near Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday.

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Within the office of Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Park’s remarks and actions have stirred unease, particularly given his role as head of the Committee for Grand Social Reform, established last month. The panel advises the prime minister on a wide range of issues, including democracy, inter-Korean relations and education reform.

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